New York City voters approve 71 - 26 percent of Mayor Bill de Blasio's decision to
decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, but give the mayor an overall 49 - 36
percent job approval rating, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

City Comptroller Scott Stringer gets a 52 - 18 percent job approval rating, higher than
any other citywide official, but down slightly from 55 - 16 percent August 26.

Support for decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana is 51 - 45 percent
among Republicans and over 66 percent among every other party, gender or racial group. Even
voters over 65 years old support it 66 - 31 percent. Support in the boroughs ranges from 65 - 31
percent in Queens to 84 - 14 percent in Manhattan.

New York City voters say 70 - 27 percent that decriminalizing simple marijuana
possession will not lead to an increase in crime, an opinion shared by every group listed.

New York City voters give de Blasio positive character ratings, saying:

49 - 42 percent that he has strong leadership qualities;

51 - 40 percent that he understands their problems;

59 - 28 percent that he is honest and trustworthy.

"It's a tale of two cities under New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. Black voters think
the mayor is terrific. White voters don't approve. And the racial gap gets wider every time we
ask," said Quinnipiac University Poll Assistant Director Maurice Carroll. "On personal
characteristics - leadership, honesty, empathy - the mayor gets positive ratings."

"Voters overwhelmingly approve Mayor de Blasio's order to stop making arrests for
possession of small amounts of marijuana, and they doubt that the decision will cause a rise in
crime," Carroll added.

In an open-ended question, allowing for any answer, 17 percent of New York City voters
say Rev. Al Sharpton is the most important black leader in the city, with 9 percent for President
Barack Obama and 4 percent for U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel. No other official gets more than 2
percent and 56 percent are undecided.

Voters give Rev. Sharpton a negative 40 - 45 percent favorability rating, but say 47 - 43
percent he is a positive force in New York City. Sharpton has too much influence with de
Blasio, 32 percent of voters say, while 9 percent say he has too little influence and 39 percent say
he has the right amount of influence.

New York City voters say 54 - 30 percent that Mayor de Blasio will raise taxes, a belief
shared by every group listed.

Mayor de Blasio gets his lowest approval rating, 39 - 35 percent, for handling the city
budget. His approval ratings on other issues are:

56 - 28 percent for handling relations between blacks and whites;

47 - 43 percent for handling relations between police and the community;

From November 12 - 17, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,164 New York City voters,
with a margin of error of +/- 2.9 percentage points. Live interviewers call land lines and cell
phones.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia,
Iowa, Colorado and the nation as a public service and for research.

For more information, visit http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling, call (203) 582-5201, or
follow us on Twitter @QuinnipiacPoll.

1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bill de Blasio is handling his job as Mayor?

61. Do you support or oppose Mayor de Blasio's decision to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, so that people found to be carrying small amounts of marijuana could get a summons, similar to a traffic ticket, rather than being arrested?